England Students take on French Universities side

England Students will face France Universities on Saturday 11th April following their 32-16 win over Portugal XV in January.

Squad selected to play France Universities on Saturday 11th April 2015:

Lewis Anderson - Oxford
Mike Flook - Hartpury
Paul Davis - Exeter University
Nick Gardner - Oxford
Sam Rodman - Leeds Beckett
Alex Westgarth - Northumbria
Ed Holmes - Plymouth University
Sam Brady - Leeds Beckett
Jamie Bache - Durham
Buchan Richardson - Durham
Joe Dancer - UWE
Sebastain Nagle-Taylor - University College London
Freddie Clarke - Bath University

Tom Banks - Newcastle University
Rob Coote - Exeter University
Josh Sharp - Loughborough
Will Cargill - Leeds Beckett
Alex O'Meara - Hartpury
George Boulton - Hartpury
Lewis Jones - Leeds Beckett
Alex Wilcockson - Exeter
Jack Rossiter - St Mary's University
Alex Brown - Hartpury

“Playing in France is always a challenge no matter what the level is,” said Assistant Coach Ian Davies. “It has traditionally been the biggest test on the fixture calendar.”

“Their speed and physicality will test our players,” said Head Coach Aaron James. “But we’ve picked a squad which we are confident will take the game to France Universities, and we are building on our performance in Portugal and against France Students Development.

“The French make it a big occasion—there were more than 5,000 spectators last year. We look forward to producing a winning performance.”

BUCS Player of the Year Will Cargill of Leeds Beckett returns to the side which has seen ten changes since Portugal, including players from the England Students Development squad who made an impact in their fixture against France Students Development.

Nick Gardner and Lewis Anderson impressed in the Varsity match for Oxford. Sam Rodman and Sam Brady join the squad after winning the BUCS Premiership Championship for Leeds Beckett.

Plymouth’s Ed Holmes played a big part in Exeter Chief’s successful campaign to reach the LV= Cup final.

Jamie Bache (Durham), Alex Wilcockson (Exeter), Paul Davies (Exeter), who featured in the Development squad, and Josh Sharp (Loughborough) have been performing well for their clubs.

The squad will train next Tuesday at the Lensbury Club, home of England Sevens, and head to France next Thursday. They will train again on Friday before playing on Saturday night in Épernay,